Still Heresy: Christian Universalism
Back in May of '05 I wrote a short article explaining why so-called Christian Universalism is heresy. That post is linked here. Why bring it up again? Because a universalist found and commented on the article just last week. No, the comment is no longer there, I'll repost it and my reply here as a new post for two reasons. One, I don't want to link (not even with a text reference) to the websites mentioned. And two, this topic deserves fresh attention. So, in response to my article, titled Heresy: Christian Universalism
Rebecca wrote:
Tags: heresy, universalism
Rebecca wrote:
You really ought to check out what Orthodox Christian Universalist teachings are prior to trying to refute them. As it is you have only shown your lack of knowlege [sic] of the topic. If you should like to find out what Christian Universalists actually believe, you should check out some of their writings which can be found in places like [ed. snipped web address] or [ed. snipped web address] or look up [ed. snipped name] ministries. There you can find information addressing the verses you mention, hundreds of verses which clearing support Jesus' perfect work and triumph over sin and death and the salvation of all men. Then, if you still reject the bible's teachings on universal salvation and Jesus' perfect work, at least you will have some knowlege [sic] of what you are arguing against. I hope that one day you will know of God's perfect, undeniable grace which cannot be twarted [sic] by mere man or triumphed over by Satan's works. In the meantime, I have no doubt that "he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it unto the day of Christ Jesus." Be blessed in your search.In reply, I wrote:
[Even though I have removed the direct references, the information is still easily available on the web. I cannot stop anyone from exposing themselves to false teaching, but I really do feel strongly about leading sheep directly into the wolves' den.]And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Satan quotes Scripture... or rather misquotes (quotes it out of context) it to support his "logical" assertion during the Lord's temptation. The websites you mention do likewise. (Actually, they are all the same website!)
Luke 4:8 KJVBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.If you do not wish to be on the wrong end of God's words, through His apostle Paul, then please renounce the false doctrine (the false gospel) of Universalism, certainly stop teaching it by pointing others to its propaganda websites!
Galatians 1:8-9 KJV
The websites to which you've directed readers are examples of just the kind of heresy that the enemy uses to harden the hearts of those whom he is able. Even the name is a lie Orthodox (means according to the doctrine of Scriptures) Christian (means a follower of Christ and his teachings) Universalist (One who holds the doctrine that all men will be saved.) The simple reading of Scripture reveals that Universalism is neither a doctrine of Scripture, nor a teaching of Christ. It is flatly and undeniably heresy (a false doctrine).
I pray that you do this (renounce the heresy), because when the end comes and the Lord separates the sheep from the goats, you don't want to be a goat!
(See Matthew 25 for an example of the Lord's teaching on Hell.)
Tags: heresy, universalism
posted by Bryan at 7:20 AM
10 Comments:
Way to go Bryan! The spiritual blindness of these "Universalists" has always amazed me. If what that universalist was speaking God's trutht hen why did Jesus tell us that the way to salvation was by the narrow way which few find? Well done!
It's wonderful to find others around the blogosphere who believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.
Of course we all need to be careful that we don't fall into the trap of believing that we have all the answers or the whole truth all worked out.
Jesus is the only name by which man can be saved but what following Jesus truly involves is something that we will all continue to grapple with until eternity when we meet him face to face.
There are many things that we can continue to learn but we must also stand firm on those truths which we do know and are unchangable.
God loves universalists too. Let's pray that many of them are convicted by God's Holy Spirit that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Rodney:
That sounds a fair prayer. :-)
However, the "Orthodox" Christian Universalist does believe that Jesus Christ is the "only" way to the Father, they just contend (by twisting scripture) that everyone will be saved by the Lord, in the end. They reject the concept of eternal punishment for anyone, except perhaps Satan and his angels. Sounds nice, but it is not what is taught in God's Holy Word.
And you are, of course correct in pointing out that we are still growing into the image of Christ (I have so very far to go!). We are still learning, but the basics are (Praise Him!) pretty simple, pretty obvious to the reader.
Praise God, he loves His elect, and when he calls us, we answer. Even if one might have believed in "universal election" beforehand.
Mike:
Praise God, brother! Whatever I get right must be Him. Whatever I get wrong, must be me.
I'm such a hypocrit! I think I was born a Pharisee at heart. Praise God, there is even hope for hypocritical Pharisee!
Of course, we should pray for those who have been caught up in the false teaching of Universalism, they are no less worthy of God's grace than anyone else. Certainly not less than arrogant, proud, legalistic people like me!
Bryan,
It is good to see SOMEONE on the web that is vying for the Truth. While there seems to be an endless list of websites FOR universalism, there are suprisingly few that teach against it. This false doctrine has come into my community and the church I attend is in the process of bringing light to the darkness. I have been studying for nearly three weeks and have started preparing for a two-night teaching we are having. Please pray for us and thank you for your ministry on the 'net.
To all;
You haven't actually ADDRESSED Universalism's scriptural, historical and logical support. You have only been attacking the people and the ideas, you have not actually dug deep and debunked it... I find it interesting that people are apt to attack the people and throw their doctrine aside.
By addressing items, I mean things like the word "aion" and it's significance... verses that say "all" in reference to salvation. Things along these lines.
~ CalebsComputers@yahoo.com
You mean other than addressing the issue by pointing out that the scriptures don't actually teach universalism unless you take them out of context and play games with the meanings of the greek words?
There are many sources of information for debunking the Heresy that is Universalism. The main one being (and the only one that truly counts) the Bible itself.
I know it's only been like 6 months, but i never realized that you replied...
Actually, scripture is the number one source of proof in debunking the heresy of Eternal Damnation. Fortunately, not only is scripture to the advantage of Christian Universalists, but also common sense! Let me point out some examples...
- Love thine enemies... while I burn mine forever! ~ Thus saith the Lord
- You have 70 years (if you're lucky) to decide your faith for eternity
- All Incas and Mayans are burning in hell, cut off from Christiandom for thousands of years...
- God is "fixing" our "mistake"... free-will on our side removes His omnipotence.
I could go on, but there's too many holes to even begin to recount with the doctrine of Eternal Damnation.
It's funny how you expect us to defend ourselves... yet it is you who make God out to be more than a killer, but an eternal killer.
~ Calebscomputers@yahoo.com
Just to add (and btw, I meant fate on second point, not faith) afew verses.
2 Corinthians 5:18,19
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
1 Timothy 4:10
For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
1 John 2:2
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Romans 5:18
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
Have fun!
The verses you have quoted, when read in context argue against Universalism. Note:
2Co 5:17-19 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
The same applies for all of the above verses.
Of course, your argument isn't with me, or my opinions. It is with the Lord. Jesus said...
Mat 7:13-27 ESV "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. 15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Luk 13:23-30 ESV And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Mar 9:42-48 MKJV And whoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged around his neck and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if your hand offends you, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than to have two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched 44 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if your foot offends you, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame than to have two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched 46 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if your eye offends you, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes to be cast into hell fire 48 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mat 22:10-14 KJV So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
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